The rise and rise of Githunguri District

By Maina Muiruri

Apart from a rich history, newly created Githunguri District is one of the most agriculturally productive regions in Central Province.

Once under the larger Kiambu District, Githunguri is listed by the Kenya Dairy Board as the leading producer of milk.

Githunguri DC Henry Wafula (right) and Mr George Gitau at Mbiyu Koinange’s house.

The district, with a population of more than 200,000 people, produces enough milk to sustain three large-scale dairy factories.

Sustain population

Among the dairies is the Fresha Milk dairy that supplies products to Nairobi and underlying regions.

Githunguri DC Henry Wafula says the district has agricultural-economic potential that can sustain its rural population.

"The district, too, is renowned for coffee and tea production ," says Mr Wafula.

The district’s relation to the independence struggle rose as a result of protest against exclusive higher education in colonial Kenya that was provided predominantly by missionaries.

In early 1930’s independent committees were formed to establish schools to cater for the increasing number of those who missed opportunities in the mission schools like Alliance and Mangu.

By 1939 there were 63 independent schools in Kenya with an enrollment of about 13,000 pupils.

It was in this year that the two main organisations, Kikuyu Independent Schools Association, and Kikuyu Karinga Education Association, agreed to establish a teacher training college.

Githunguri was selected as the site for The Kenya African Teachers College, as it was called.